Eneos Corporation partners MCC to introduce new plastic-to-oil recycling facility

JAPAN – Eneos Corporation and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) have unveiled a state-of-the-art plastic-to-oil chemical recycling facility at MCC’s Ibaraki Plant in Kamisu City, Japan. 

Completed in July 2025, the facility marks a significant step in fostering a carbon-neutral and circular economy by transforming waste plastic into valuable resources.

The plant employs cutting-edge hydrothermal plastic recycling technology (Hydro-PRT), licensed from UK-based Mura Technology. 

The process uses supercritical water to break down mixed plastic waste into high-quality oil, which serves as feedstock for existing refineries and naphtha crackers. 

The resulting oil is reprocessed into petroleum products, chemicals, and new plastics, closing the loop on plastic waste.

“Mitsubishi Chemical Group is committed to becoming a ‘green specialty company,’ leveraging material innovation to address societal challenges,” said Manabu Chikumoto, President and CEO of MCC, in a statement. 

“This facility is a cornerstone in our mission to deliver sustainable solutions.”

According to Eneos, the facility, with an annual processing capacity of 20,000 tonnes, is Japan’s largest commercial-scale chemical recycling plant. 

It accepts mixed plastic waste without extensive sorting, producing oil suitable for food-grade applications. 

“Our goal is to ensure a stable energy supply while accelerating the transition to carbon neutrality,” stated Atsuji Yamaguchi, President of Eneos, during the facility’s opening ceremony on July 2, 2025.

The plant is pursuing ISCC PLUS certification, an international benchmark for sustainable products, enabling Eneos and MCC to supply certified recycled content to manufacturers. 

This aligns with Japan’s push for mandatory recycled plastic targets, including a 15% recycled content goal for new cars by 2030.

In a related development, Eneos and MCC have expanded their sustainability efforts through a 2023 partnership with Neste and Suntory to produce PET resin from bio-based feedstock, Neste RE. 

“This collaboration demonstrates that fossil resources can be replaced without compromising quality or safety,” said Lilyana Budyanto, head of sustainable partnerships APAC at Neste. 

The bio-PX produced at Eneos’ Mizushima Refinery is converted into PET resin for Suntory’s beverage bottles, showcasing the versatility of renewable feedstocks.

Recent updates indicate the Ibaraki facility is scaling up operations, with plans to optimize efficiency and expand capacity. 

The initiative aligns with Japan’s commitment to reducing the 8 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, much of which is currently incinerated. 

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